I received an advance reader’s copy (ARC) of Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In Lola, the titular protagonist lives in Mexico City, in a house that is built around an ancient tree with magical blooms, and which also boasts an assortment of sprite-like creatures called chaneques. Lola loves her home, loves the magical elements that to her seem ordinary. However, her older brother Alex has been struggling and ill ever since a past traumatic event. Now, his illness has a new symptom: gray patches on his skin. These wasted patches are appearing on the plants in Lola’s home, too, and so realizes that they must be connected. Determined to save her home and her brother, Lola sets off on a quest to get to the truth and find a cure, no matter the cost.

This book feels like a Disney/Pixar movie: full of wonder and magic and family and emotion. It has elements reminiscent of Encanto, Coco, and Moana, but also is unique and lovely in its own right.

Firstly, the setting is beautiful. The house is a vibrant, amazing place to explore, and Lola’s affection for it shines through. I also enjoyed the chaneques, who are mischievous and fun, especially Cualli, who helps Lola on her journey. It’s fun to see some creatures from Mexican folklore that I wasn’t familiar with.

Speaking of folklore, Lola’s quest takes her to a magical realm called Floresta, where her home’s tree comes from, and it’s also such a cool place. The themes about taking care of nature, and the ways that natural ecosystems affect everything in life, are powerfully portrayed. Valenti doesn’t shy away from the fact that caring for the environment is an urgent need, but she also doesn’t show that goal as hopeless. She allows the characters to have impact, even against seemingly insurmountable odds, and that’s a great thing to show, especially to young people.

Speaking of people, the characters are excellent. The love and loyalty between the siblings is fantastic, and seeing how Alex is suffering makes it effortless to root for Lola. Moreover, the exploration of grief and trauma is very well-written. These aren’t easy topics, especially for a middle grade audience, but they’re still things that kids experience, so this book provides a safe space to confront and explore them. And while this book is melancholy, it’s not without a sense of hope. You walk away from this book seeing how a person can move on after loss, and can even thrive as long as they express their pain in healthy ways.

In the end, Lola is a stunning book. The main characters are good, the setting is lively and wondrous, and the themes are touching. If I had to criticize anything, I’d say sometimes the pacing is a little inconsistent, but it’s a minor thing in the end. Because this is a powerful story of familial love and grief, of caring for humans and for nature. It’s not exactly a light read, but it’s a rewarding one nonetheless.

Lola will be published on September 10th, 2024!